Tip #2: Video marketing — make your first impression count. The new YouTube channel layout allows you to feature a trailer that plays only when non-subscribed viewers land on your channel, encouraging them to subscribe. Take advantage of this prime real estate! For further info, go to http://gloriarand.com/youtube-one-channel/

Tip #3: Using Pinterest for business — set up specialized boards. Don’t just use the default boards you get with your account. The more creative you get with board titles, the better! For best results, use: Blog Posts, About Me, Behind the Scenes, Video/TV, How to, Recommended Products & Services. For further info, go to http://gloriarand.com/get-started-with-pinterest/

Tip #4: Email marketing — produce great content. This should go without saying, but do include your best stuff here. Be sure to include social sharing buttons and ’email to a friend’ links that make it easy for readers to shout about your outstanding content to the world! Well…at least to family and friends. To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/grow-email-marketing-list/

Tip #5: Facebook & email — remind your customers of shared values. People like to support businesses that have shared values and common causes. Need convincing? Here’s a great fact: 72% of consumers would recommend a brand that supports a good cause over one that doesn’t! To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/facebook-email-holiday-sales/

Tip #6: Video blog — use steady cam. There’s nothing worse than watching a shaky image on screen, like the videographer just drank five of his favorite holiday coffee drinks. Set the camera down on a flat surface or, better yet, use a tripod. This way, your image will project your intended image of authority! To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/5-tips-for-making-a-successful-video-blog/

Tip #7: LinkedIn Groups — demonstrate your expertise. Are you participating in LinkedIn groups? You just gotta, and for good reason. Answering questions and/or providing another point of view in a conversation string is the best way to show you know what you’re talking about. The more you do this, the more people will want to do business with you. To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/linkedin-groups-2/
Tip #8: Twitter — laugh in business. Says Caroline Palmer of RaisingtheBaa, “we follow the 80/20 rule and aim for 80% of our tweets to raise a smile or even a laugh. Luckily for us, people seem to find sheep amEWEsing and…our subject invites a veritible pun-fest from our followers. We operate the same strategy on Facebook…” Thanks, Caroline, for your take on tweeting about your woolly friends! To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/best-tips-for-marketing-with-twitter/
Tip #9: Facebook & email — be a resource. Don’t just send out salesy emails or Facebook posts. Provide real value by giving your customers resources they can use, such as tips on preparing their shoppings lists or how to throw a holiday dinner party. To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/facebook-email-holiday-sales/

Tip #10: Video marketing — promote a product. On YouTube, instead of listing the URL of your website, the new channel layout allows you to promote a product, such as an e-book or special report. Then, when someone clicks on the link, they are taken to a landing page of your site where they can request that report. Pretty cool, huh? To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/youtube-one-channel/

Tip #11: Using Pinterest for business — get more followers. How do you do this? Follow the right accounts. The more followers, the more opportunity you have for people to repin your images, read your blogs, and watch your videos, so pick accounts that have at least 1,000 followers. And be sure to pin eye-catching images! (Like the one below.) To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/get-started-with-pinterest/

Tip #12: Email marketing — promote an online offer. People love contests. Why not run one on your blog, Facebook page, Twitter account, etc. to promote the offer? Have entrants submit their email address to enter and voila! You’ve just grown your email list. To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/grow-email-marketing-list/

Tip #13: Facebook & email — everyone loves a deal! Offer exclusive deals to your email list and Facebook fans. This will not only encourage more Likes on your Facebook page, but it also offers a ‘sneak peek’ on seasonal products, builds holiday excitement and encourages your customers to buy. To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/facebook-email-holiday-sales/

Tip #14: Video blog –– lighting & microphone. You gotta have light! It’s important to watch out for shadows. To see what your customers will see, do a few run throughs and experiment with the lighting. Also, it’s best to invest in a good clip-on microphone for the best sound quality. We love our smart phones, but they DO have some limitations. To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/5-tips-for-making-a-successful-video-blog/

Tip #15: LinkedIn Groups — foster trust. You will be able to showcase your expertise by participating in conversations, but while you’re at it, you’ll also gain trust. Ever heard the saying “People do business with those they know, like and trust?” Try this, and see what happens! To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/linkedin-groups-2/

Tip #16: Twitter — be relevant to your product or service. Mo Knowles of Mac-n-Mo’s says, “I post tweets that are relevant to a healthy lifestyle, food & fun because that’s what I live/believe/sell/promote. Consistency & walking my walk is PARAMOUNT to everything I do in life and business.” Thanks, Mo, for stressing the importance of ‘walking the walk!’ To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/best-tips-for-marketing-with-twitter/

Tip #17: Facebook & email — use photos in sales posts & emails to tell the story about new products. Be sure to ask your Facebook fans to comment on the photos so your content reaches more people in the news feed. And think ‘holiday-themed imagery’ to capture attention! To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/facebook-email-holiday-sales/

Tip #18: Twitter — say something meaningful. I love what Vanessa Alce of I Love My Planner has to say about this: “I respect how large, popular companies…share business tips, comical quotes and inspiration through Twitter and other social media sites….It’s about you the person and you the company that attracts clients to you (in addition to great service of course!)” Great tip about doing it right! To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/best-tips-for-marketing-with-twitter/

Tip #19: Video marketing — promote playlists & featured channels. Curate your own & other videos into highly visible sections for your fans to discover what to watch. To highlight your best content, play around with the arrangement of your most popular & recently uploaded videos by clicking the little arrow icons in the right corner of each section. To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/youtube-one-channel/

Tip #20: Using Pinterest for business — comment on pins in your news feed. Most people don’t do this, so you’ll really stand out since your comments will appear in the news feed of those pinners’ followers. Try to add value in the comments, and you’ll show off your brand, get new followers, and engage! To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/get-started-with-pinterest/
Tip #21: Email marketing — create an email signup tab on Facebook. Constant Contact and MailChimp are two email service providers that make it easy for you to create a custom tab on Facebook to collect email addresses. Social media: it’s everywhere! To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/grow-email-marketing-list/

Tip #22: LinkedIn Groups — generate leads & sales. Once you’ve established yourself as an expert and you’ve proven yourself trustworthy, be sure to provide concrete tips, strategies and useful information. When you do this well, the greater the chance someone will hire you to perform a service or buy a product from you. Nice! To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/linkedin-groups-2/

Tip #23: Video blog — subject & delivery. Remember this — KISS? It stands for ‘Keep it Simple, Silly.’ That goes for your blog messages, too. Don’t try to cover multiple points in one video. Your recordings should only be 1 – 2 minutes long, or you’ll lose your viewers. And for heaven’s sake, do NOT try to memorize your script! Come up with three words that relate to your subject, talk on those points, and your conversation will sound natural. I promise. To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/5-tips-for-making-a-successful-video-blog/

Tip #24: Twitter — join Twitter chats! Didn’t know they exist? You’re not alone. Jan Marie Mueller of JMM Social Media Marketing says, “Many people don’t realize Twitter chats exist and are missing out on a valuable networking opportunity. Use them to expand your social network. Showcase your expertise and learn from other experts. Connect and engage during these fun, open sessions! Ask questions, share insights and discuss.” You never know who you’ll find in those chats or what client you may attract to your business! To read more, go to http://gloriarand.com/best-tips-for-marketing-with-twitter/

Tip #25: Listen – Use social media to listen to your customers, your competitors, your competitors’ customers and employees. You can discover new products, new markets & new opportunities for success in the New Year. If you have any questions, post them on my Facebook page or just give me a *jingle!* Happy Holidays!

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About the Author

Gloria Grace Rand is an award-winning SEO blogger, former writer/producer for the PBS-TV news program, “Nightly Business Report,” and the owner of Web to Wealth Marketing. As an internationally known leading expert in internet marketing, Gloria develops innovative workshops and masterminds that help creative professionals and service providers improve their online visibility and profitability. She is also a Contributing Author of three best-selling books, “Unscripted: How Entrepreneurs Leap and Find Success,” “Conceived to Lead,” and “Connect: 100+ Mind-Blowing Strategies to Use Social Media and Drive Business Growth.”